Police, unaware of Highway Code, pull over London cyclist: Video

A London cyclist has posted footage online showing a police officer overtaking him too closely in his vehicle then, after telling him to pull over, provides him with advice on how to cycle on the road that is at odds with rules contained in the Highway Code.

Helmet camera user Evo Lucas posted footage yesterday to YouTube and other social media sites of the incident, which happened in Walworth, South London.

At the start of the clip, he turns left from Wells Way into Albany Road, then passes the police car at traffic lights before tuning right into Portland Street, which subsequently leads into Brandon Street.

Around 1 minutes 30 seconds into the video, the police officer makes a close overtake on the rider, who says, “Excuse me,” then as he pulls alongside the police vehicle asks, “Are you in a hurry, sir?”

The officer asks Mr Lucas, “Wanna pull over?” then puts his flashing blue lights on and passes the rider, who comes to a halt behind him.

He asks him: “Do you want to explain why you are cycling in the middle of the road, making it difficult for vehicles to pass you?”

But Mr Lucas pointed out that he was allowed to use the width of the carriageway and suggested the officer may have broken the speed limit when he overtook him, saying: “No sir, I am entitled to use the whole road and you are entitled to do 20 mph on a 20 mph road.”

“Which I was doing,” the police officer replied. “Now you are getting to a fine line of obstructing vehicles.

“You are getting very close to the way you are cycling to obstructing vehicles from passing you,” he added, saying that Mr Lucas should “take on board” his advice.

Mr Lucas responded: “You take on board you were driving too closely, sir”

As he rode away, the cyclist said: “Well you should have waited then, sir. Are you detaining me, sir? I’m going to work. No, you need to get on board with how the Highway Code works, you are a police officer.”

The Highway Code allows cyclists to ride in primary position, including on narrow roads, and also instructs motorists “’Not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake. Give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.”